Yemaya’s Kitchen, a soul food revolution sweeping the county is taking up permanent residence at the Ark-T Centre; offering artisan coffee, homemade food and a contemporary, relaxing environment for the people of Oxford. All our produce is locally sourced.

Yemaya’s Kitchen, currently based in Wheatley have announced they will be partnering with the Ark-T Centre to renovate and relaunch a very special café, restaurant and community space permanently based at the centre this September. The kitchen will offer breakfast, homemade soul food and artisan coffee. The Ark-T Centre uses the powers of creativity and human connection to change lives.

Yemaya’s Kitchen will also be organising community kitchens on Friday nights the first of which will be on the 7th of September, hangout sessions, work-hubs, rare groove, soul and jazz music with live film and arts performances planned. If you are a local artist, band or DJ please do get in touch!

Lavinia founder of Yemaya’s Kitchen said “Our Soul-Food and menus are inspired by books, music, travel and generations of strong mothers cooking for their families. Swing by anytime for delicious homemade food and coffee. Start your day with yoga or dance, invite your special someone for a lunch date, join a knitting class or a philosophical discussion. Study in the morning, read or bring the family. Yemaya’s Kitchen will be open all day at the Ark-T Centre.”

Yemaya’s Kitchen take over from Camerados who have occupied the space for over 2 years.
What is Yemaya’s Kitchen?

Yemaya is the Afro-Brazilian Queen of the sea and protectress of women, children, families and community. Yemaya is also the name of Lavinia’s daughter. Our kitchen is built on the belief that being social and sharing food made with love is the core of every community.

Yemaya’s Kitchen is a cafe and vibrant community-house based in several locations around Oxfordshire. A home away from home. A breakfast café. A lunch spot. An afternoon hangout and meeting place for locally sourced, reasonable priced food.

A place where you can eat dinner with 200 friends you don’t know yet on Friday nights – A meeting place for all.

Yemaya’s Kitchen is a family friendly space; supporting mothers who wish to breastfeed. YK welcome families and children, buggies and offer nutritious, balanced children’s options. YK are an inclusive space and welcome everyone.

The kitchen will offer NHS and NUS Discounts and discounts for those on low incomes.

Key Dates:
Pop-up Meet and Greet:
Yemaya’s Kitchen will have a pop-up presence serving delicious food at ROAR Fest, the Ark-T’s Disability Youth Arts Festival on the 31st August – 1st September 2018

First Community Kitchen:
The revival of the Community Kitchens will be on Friday the 7th September 2018 from 6pm-9pm.

Official Opening:
Yemaya’s Kitchen will officially open on the 14th September 2018 following transformation of the Ark-T’s café space into a beautiful eat and relax space – the likes of which Cowley has never seen!

Launch Party:
The official Opening Party will take place on the 9th October 2018 – this will feature live music, refreshments and glorious soul-food.